US20040165284A1 - Display device with electrooptical focussing - Google Patents
Display device with electrooptical focussing Download PDFInfo
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- US20040165284A1 US20040165284A1 US10/779,963 US77996304A US2004165284A1 US 20040165284 A1 US20040165284 A1 US 20040165284A1 US 77996304 A US77996304 A US 77996304A US 2004165284 A1 US2004165284 A1 US 2004165284A1
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- refractive index
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- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 11
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004988 Nematic liquid crystal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000005262 ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004220 fundus oculi Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012634 optical imaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
- G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
- G02B7/28—Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
- H04N5/7475—Constructional details of television projection apparatus
- H04N5/7491—Constructional details of television projection apparatus of head mounted projectors
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
- G02B2027/0178—Eyeglass type
Definitions
- the invention relates to a display device for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer of an object located in an object plane, as being superimposed on the object.
- Such a device is, for example, an HMD device (Head Mounted Display Device), wherein superposition of the generated image on the object is often referred to as an augmented representation.
- HMD device Head Mounted Display Device
- HMD devices which lack a focusing unit allowing adjustment of the distance from the generated image to the viewer. Such devices are difficult to use particularly for presbyopic older viewers who have a reduced power to accommodate.
- HMD devices which include a focusing unit to adjust the distance from the generated image to the viewer.
- at least one sufficiently big adjustment knob needs to be provided in the HMD device in order to manually displace lenses and/or an imaging element. If the HMD device is adapted to focus automatically, there is the inescapable additional requirement of a motor drive. This makes the HMD device heavy and cumbersome.
- the object is achieved by a display device for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer of an object located in an object plane, as being superimposed on the object, said device comprising an image generating device for generating the image in an image plane and a superimposing unit, wherein the image generating device and the superimposing unit are mounted on a support device, which is placeable on the head of the viewer, and the image generating device comprises a focusing unit by which the distance from the image plane to the support device is variable and which includes a lens having a variable refractive index as well as a control unit for adjusting the refractive index of the lens, wherein, when the support device is placed on the head of the viewer, the superimposing unit effects superposition of the generated image on the object for the viewer and the control unit adjusts the refractive index of the lens such that the object plane coincides with the image plane.
- the display device according to the invention is provided with a lens having a variable or adjustable refractive index
- the position of the image plane may be varied and adjusted without requiring mechanical movements of lenses or other elements.
- the adjusted refractive index may be the same for the entire lens or may also differ (in which case, there is a desired distribution of the refractive index).
- a lens is an optical element by means of which optical imaging can be effected (i.e. the path of rays coming from an object point is changed by means of the lens such that they pass through a different point, the image point).
- the lens may be provided as a Fresnel lens or as a diffractive optical element. Examples of such lenses are found in the articles “Modal Liquid Crystal Lenses” by Okotech Delft, Netherlands, and “Modally Addressed Liquid Crystals” by the University of Durham.
- the coincidence of the object and image planes means that the maximum distance between both planes is such that the viewer may simultaneously perceive the object and the image as sharp. Preferably, both planes do actually coincide.
- the display device may comprise a measurement module mounted on the support device, said measurement module detecting the distance from the object plane to the support device, with the refractive index of the lens being adjusted as a function of the distance detected by said measurement module.
- the detection of the distance by means of the measurement module may be carried out directly or indirectly. This means that either the distance is directly determined or a quantity is determined from which the distance could be derived.
- the indirect determination of the distance does not even require a concrete distance value to be determined itself, but it suffices if an adjustment of the refractive index of the lens is possible due to the detected quantity, so that the object plane coincides with the image plane.
- This embodiment allows easy automatic “focusing” of the generated image in the object plane.
- the focusing unit may be provided as an autofocusing unit which changes the refractive index upon a change in the distance between the object plane and the support device in such a manner that the image plane still coincides with the object plane. This ensures that the viewer always sees the generated image in the object plane (even if it is moving, for example), imparting very good usability to the device.
- a preferred embodiment of the display device according to the invention consists in that the lens is formed, at least partially, of an electrooptical material, in particular liquid crystal.
- Such lenses are economical in manufacture, so that an inexpensive display device may be provided.
- control unit for adjusting the refractive index of the lens may apply a predetermined electrical voltage to the lens. This is easily and accurately realizable.
- liquid crystals wherein use may be made, for example, of nematic liquid crystals (twisted and non-twisted forms) and also of ferroelectric liquid crystals.
- These liquid crystals allow a change in the refractive index of up to 0.2 to be achieved already at low voltages (for example, 2 to 10 volts) and at a very low energy consumption.
- low voltages and also the low energy consumption
- are realizable in a simple manner and with a low weight e.g. using one or more batteries or by means of at least one solar cell), so that the weight of the display device may be kept low.
- the nematic liquid crystal lenses have the advantage that they exhibit good properties particularly in the temperature range of from 20 to 50° C.
- a particular advantage of the ferroelectric liquid crystals is the very quick switching time and, thus, the very quick change in the refractive index.
- the superimposing unit of the display device may comprise a mirror, a splitter mirror or a splitter grating. If it comprises a mirror, superposition takes place in such a manner that the viewer may perceive the generated image and the object as being arranged next to one another or as immediately adjacent to one another. In superposition by means of the splitter mirror, the generated image and the object may be placed upon one another for the viewer.
- the superimposing unit comprises a combination of a mirror and a splitter mirror, so that the viewer may perceive, in part, a superposition and, in part, a representation wherein the object and the image are located next to each other.
- a further advantage of the display device according to the invention consists in that an infinitely variable adjustment is possible and that also no moving parts are required to displace the image plane.
- the measurement module when the support device is placed on the head, the measurement module preferably detects the distance between the support device and the object plane by means of the viewer's eye. This may be realized, for example, by measuring the fundus oculi of the viewer. In this type of distance detection, the required distance may be quickly and precisely determined without having to detect the object or the corresponding part of the object which the viewer is presently perceiving. Further, in this variant, the viewer may even wear variable focus glasses.
- the measurement module may detect the distance between the object plane and the support device on the basis of the object itself.
- This has the advantage that the correct distance between the viewer and the object may always be determined, regardless of short-term eye and/or lid movements.
- the object may be filmed and may also be evaluated in connection with the image to be generated.
- suitable information may be mounting instructions or notices with regard to values to be checked.
- the image generating device comprises an image module for imaging as well as, when the support device is placed on the head, a projection beam path from the image module via the focusing unit to the viewer's eye
- the measurement module comprises a sensor as well as, in the projection beam path between the image module and the lens, a beam-splitting unit which directs light coming from the object and passing through the lens onto the sensor, which emits a signal to the control unit, as a function of how sharp the image of the object on the sensor is
- the image generating device and the measurement module are designed such that, when focusing the object for the sensor by adjustment of the refractive index of the lens, the image plane simultaneously coincides with the object plane.
- a luminous display such as a background-illuminated LCD or an LED
- the image module may be what is called a (spatial) light valve (for example, a tilting mirror matrix comprising a plurality of tilting mirrors arranged in lines and columns and individually controllable), which is illuminated and selectively reflects light (as a function of the position of the individual tilting mirrors), the combination of which then yields the generated image.
- the image module may generate monochromatic or also polychromatic images.
- the focusing unit comprises two or more lenses having variable refractive indices, which refractive indices may be set or adjusted by means of the control unit.
- the display device according to the invention may be provided such that it is designed for one or both of the viewer's eyes. If it is designed for both of the viewer's eyes, the images may be the same or different for both eyes. In particular, a spatial representation of the image is possible.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a lateral view of the display device according to the invention, mounted on the head of a viewer, and
- FIG. 2 schematically shows an enlarged view of the display device of FIG. 1.
- the display device in the described embodiment comprises an imaging unit 1 with an image module 2 (in this case, a luminous display) and a focusing unit 3 .
- the focusing unit 3 comprises a liquid crystal lens 4 as well as a further lens 5 , wherein an electric voltage may be applied to said liquid crystal lens 4 by means of a control unit 6 of the display device. Depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied, a predetermined refractive index or distribution of the refractive index is adjusted for the liquid crystal lens 4 .
- the display device further includes a superimposing unit 7 which comprises first and second beam-splitter cubes 8 , 9 .
- Said splitter cubes 8 , 9 are arranged such that the light coming from the image module 2 is deflected by 90° by the first splitter cube and impinges on the second splitter cube 9 , which in turn effects a deflection by 90°.
- the light deflected by the second splitter cube 9 then impinges on the eye A of the viewer M.
- the viewer M may perceive his environment through the second splitter cube 9 . In the example described herein, he is viewing an object (not shown) which is located in the object plane O.
- the splitter cubes 8 , 9 other beam splitters known to the skilled person may be used as well.
- the display device also comprises a measurement module including a beam splitter 10 , which is arranged between the image module 2 and the focusing unit 3 , and an autofocus sensor 11 .
- the beam splitter 10 is arranged such that light from the object which passes through the first splitter cube 8 and through the focusing unit 3 is deflected onto the autofocus sensor 11 by the beam splitter 10 .
- the latter emits a signal which is applied to the control unit 6 .
- the image generating device 1 , the focusing unit 3 as well as the superimposing unit 7 are all mounted on a support device 12 (shown only in FIG. 1) which may be placed on the head in the manner of glasses such that, in the mounted condition thereof, the viewer perceives his environment through the second splitter cube 9 .
- the control unit 6 may be mounted on the support device 12 . However, it may also be provided separately thereof. Image control unit 13 , which is used to control the image module 2 may also be provided separately. Therefore, the control unit 6 as well as the image control unit 13 are not shown in FIG. 1, because they are not mounted on the support device 12 in the described example.
- the connections between the image control unit 13 and the image module 2 as well as between the control unit 6 and the lens 4 as well as the autofocus sensor 11 may be realized in a wireless manner (e.g. by radio links) and by means of electrical lines.
- the optical design of the display device is selected such that, if it is found by the autofocus sensor 11 that the viewer M is perceiving the object in the object plane O as sharp, the image plane B in which the generated image is perceivable by the viewer M, coincides with the object plane O. Focusing on the object plane O is achieved by a suitable adjustment of the refractive index of the liquid crystal lens 4 , which is done as a function of the signal or of the value of the signal emitted by the autofocus sensor 11 . Thus, there is a closed loop by which the distance from the object to the support device 12 is detected. Said distance detection is provided such that the image plane B is thereby already placed in the object plane O as well. The determination of the distance from the object to the support device 12 (or to the viewer M) by means of selective adjustment of the refractive index of the liquid crystal lens 4 is, thus, also used already to make the image plane B coincide with the object plane O.
- control unit 6 and the measurement module are designed such that they constantly determine the distance between the object plane O and the viewer M and accordingly readjust or adjust the refractive index of the liquid crystal lens 4 .
- autofocusing is provided by which the viewer M can always sharply perceive the generated image in the object plane O.
- This autofocus function advantageously requires no mechanically movable parts.
- the focusing unit comprises two or more liquid crystal lenses whose refractive indices are adjustable by means of the control unit.
- a deflecting mirror (not shown) may also be used.
- the deflecting mirror is dimensioned such that only part of the visual field is covered by the deflecting mirror.
- the superposition of the generated image on the perceivable object is a side-by-side superposition.
- the display device described in combination with FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided for only one eye A of the viewer M. Of course, it may also be provided for both eyes. This may be realized, for example, by accordingly expanding the superimposing unit 7 .
- a separate imaging unit, a separate focusing unit comprising a measurement module and a separate superimposing unit may be provided for the second eye, too.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to German Application No. 10306578.4 filed Feb. 17, 2003. Said application is incorporated by reference herein.
- The invention relates to a display device for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer of an object located in an object plane, as being superimposed on the object.
- Such a device is, for example, an HMD device (Head Mounted Display Device), wherein superposition of the generated image on the object is often referred to as an augmented representation.
- There are HMD devices which lack a focusing unit allowing adjustment of the distance from the generated image to the viewer. Such devices are difficult to use particularly for presbyopic older viewers who have a reduced power to accommodate.
- Further, HMD devices are known which include a focusing unit to adjust the distance from the generated image to the viewer. However, for this purpose, at least one sufficiently big adjustment knob needs to be provided in the HMD device in order to manually displace lenses and/or an imaging element. If the HMD device is adapted to focus automatically, there is the inescapable additional requirement of a motor drive. This makes the HMD device heavy and cumbersome.
- In view thereof, it is an object of the invention to provide a potentially lighter and smaller display device for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer of an object located in an object plane, as being superimposed on the object.
- The object is achieved by a display device for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer of an object located in an object plane, as being superimposed on the object, said device comprising an image generating device for generating the image in an image plane and a superimposing unit, wherein the image generating device and the superimposing unit are mounted on a support device, which is placeable on the head of the viewer, and the image generating device comprises a focusing unit by which the distance from the image plane to the support device is variable and which includes a lens having a variable refractive index as well as a control unit for adjusting the refractive index of the lens, wherein, when the support device is placed on the head of the viewer, the superimposing unit effects superposition of the generated image on the object for the viewer and the control unit adjusts the refractive index of the lens such that the object plane coincides with the image plane.
- Since the display device according to the invention is provided with a lens having a variable or adjustable refractive index, the position of the image plane may be varied and adjusted without requiring mechanical movements of lenses or other elements. As a result, there is no need to provide an adjustemnt knob or a motor drive for mechanically moving the lens, so that the display device may be of a smaller and lighter overall design. The adjusted refractive index may be the same for the entire lens or may also differ (in which case, there is a desired distribution of the refractive index).
- A lens, as it is understood herein, is an optical element by means of which optical imaging can be effected (i.e. the path of rays coming from an object point is changed by means of the lens such that they pass through a different point, the image point). In particular, the lens may be provided as a Fresnel lens or as a diffractive optical element. Examples of such lenses are found in the articles “Modal Liquid Crystal Lenses” by Okotech Delft, Netherlands, and “Modally Addressed Liquid Crystals” by the University of Durham. The coincidence of the object and image planes, as understood herein, means that the maximum distance between both planes is such that the viewer may simultaneously perceive the object and the image as sharp. Preferably, both planes do actually coincide.
- In particular, the display device may comprise a measurement module mounted on the support device, said measurement module detecting the distance from the object plane to the support device, with the refractive index of the lens being adjusted as a function of the distance detected by said measurement module. The detection of the distance by means of the measurement module may be carried out directly or indirectly. This means that either the distance is directly determined or a quantity is determined from which the distance could be derived. The indirect determination of the distance does not even require a concrete distance value to be determined itself, but it suffices if an adjustment of the refractive index of the lens is possible due to the detected quantity, so that the object plane coincides with the image plane.
- This embodiment allows easy automatic “focusing” of the generated image in the object plane.
- In particular, the focusing unit may be provided as an autofocusing unit which changes the refractive index upon a change in the distance between the object plane and the support device in such a manner that the image plane still coincides with the object plane. This ensures that the viewer always sees the generated image in the object plane (even if it is moving, for example), imparting very good usability to the device.
- A preferred embodiment of the display device according to the invention consists in that the lens is formed, at least partially, of an electrooptical material, in particular liquid crystal. Such lenses are economical in manufacture, so that an inexpensive display device may be provided.
- In the display device according to the invention, the control unit for adjusting the refractive index of the lens may apply a predetermined electrical voltage to the lens. This is easily and accurately realizable.
- This is particularly advantageous in the use of liquid crystals, wherein use may be made, for example, of nematic liquid crystals (twisted and non-twisted forms) and also of ferroelectric liquid crystals. These liquid crystals allow a change in the refractive index of up to 0.2 to be achieved already at low voltages (for example, 2 to 10 volts) and at a very low energy consumption. These low voltages (and also the low energy consumption) are realizable in a simple manner and with a low weight (e.g. using one or more batteries or by means of at least one solar cell), so that the weight of the display device may be kept low.
- The nematic liquid crystal lenses have the advantage that they exhibit good properties particularly in the temperature range of from 20 to 50° C. A particular advantage of the ferroelectric liquid crystals is the very quick switching time and, thus, the very quick change in the refractive index.
- Further, the superimposing unit of the display device may comprise a mirror, a splitter mirror or a splitter grating. If it comprises a mirror, superposition takes place in such a manner that the viewer may perceive the generated image and the object as being arranged next to one another or as immediately adjacent to one another. In superposition by means of the splitter mirror, the generated image and the object may be placed upon one another for the viewer. Of course, it is also possible that the superimposing unit comprises a combination of a mirror and a splitter mirror, so that the viewer may perceive, in part, a superposition and, in part, a representation wherein the object and the image are located next to each other.
- A further advantage of the display device according to the invention consists in that an infinitely variable adjustment is possible and that also no moving parts are required to displace the image plane.
- In the display device according to the invention, when the support device is placed on the head, the measurement module preferably detects the distance between the support device and the object plane by means of the viewer's eye. This may be realized, for example, by measuring the fundus oculi of the viewer. In this type of distance detection, the required distance may be quickly and precisely determined without having to detect the object or the corresponding part of the object which the viewer is presently perceiving. Further, in this variant, the viewer may even wear variable focus glasses.
- Alternatively, it is possible that, in the display device according to the invention, when the support device is placed on the head, the measurement module may detect the distance between the object plane and the support device on the basis of the object itself. This has the advantage that the correct distance between the viewer and the object may always be determined, regardless of short-term eye and/or lid movements. Further, when detecting said distance, the object may be filmed and may also be evaluated in connection with the image to be generated. Thus, during maintenance of equipment, for example, it is possible to present suitable information to the viewer by means of the generated image in a corresponding manner, on the basis of the area of the equipment (or of the object) which the viewer is presently viewing. Said information may be mounting instructions or notices with regard to values to be checked.
- In a preferred embodiment of the display device according to the invention, the image generating device comprises an image module for imaging as well as, when the support device is placed on the head, a projection beam path from the image module via the focusing unit to the viewer's eye, and the measurement module comprises a sensor as well as, in the projection beam path between the image module and the lens, a beam-splitting unit which directs light coming from the object and passing through the lens onto the sensor, which emits a signal to the control unit, as a function of how sharp the image of the object on the sensor is, wherein the image generating device and the measurement module are designed such that, when focusing the object for the sensor by adjustment of the refractive index of the lens, the image plane simultaneously coincides with the object plane. This allows a compact and light display device to be provided, wherein the focusing of the image in the object plane (image plane coincides with object plane) may be effected in an uncomplicated manner.
- As the image module, a luminous display, such as a background-illuminated LCD or an LED, may be used. Of course, use may be made also of non-luminous displays. In this case, the image module may be what is called a (spatial) light valve (for example, a tilting mirror matrix comprising a plurality of tilting mirrors arranged in lines and columns and individually controllable), which is illuminated and selectively reflects light (as a function of the position of the individual tilting mirrors), the combination of which then yields the generated image. The image module may generate monochromatic or also polychromatic images.
- In a preferred embodiment of the display device according to the invention, the focusing unit comprises two or more lenses having variable refractive indices, which refractive indices may be set or adjusted by means of the control unit.
- The display device according to the invention may be provided such that it is designed for one or both of the viewer's eyes. If it is designed for both of the viewer's eyes, the images may be the same or different for both eyes. In particular, a spatial representation of the image is possible.
- The invention is explained in more detail below, essentially by way of example, with reference to the drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a lateral view of the display device according to the invention, mounted on the head of a viewer, and
- FIG. 2 schematically shows an enlarged view of the display device of FIG. 1.
- As is evident particularly from FIG. 2, the display device in the described embodiment comprises an
imaging unit 1 with an image module 2 (in this case, a luminous display) and a focusingunit 3. - The focusing
unit 3 comprises aliquid crystal lens 4 as well as afurther lens 5, wherein an electric voltage may be applied to saidliquid crystal lens 4 by means of acontrol unit 6 of the display device. Depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied, a predetermined refractive index or distribution of the refractive index is adjusted for theliquid crystal lens 4. - The display device further includes a
superimposing unit 7 which comprises first and second beam-splitter cubes 8, 9. Saidsplitter cubes 8, 9 are arranged such that the light coming from theimage module 2 is deflected by 90° by the first splitter cube and impinges on thesecond splitter cube 9, which in turn effects a deflection by 90°. The light deflected by thesecond splitter cube 9 then impinges on the eye A of the viewer M. The viewer M may perceive his environment through thesecond splitter cube 9. In the example described herein, he is viewing an object (not shown) which is located in the object plane O. Instead of thesplitter cubes 8, 9, other beam splitters known to the skilled person may be used as well. - Further, the display device also comprises a measurement module including a
beam splitter 10, which is arranged between theimage module 2 and the focusingunit 3, and anautofocus sensor 11. Thebeam splitter 10 is arranged such that light from the object which passes through the first splitter cube 8 and through the focusingunit 3 is deflected onto theautofocus sensor 11 by thebeam splitter 10. Depending on how sharp the image of the object on theautofocus sensor 11 is, the latter emits a signal which is applied to thecontrol unit 6. - The
image generating device 1, the focusingunit 3 as well as the superimposingunit 7 are all mounted on a support device 12 (shown only in FIG. 1) which may be placed on the head in the manner of glasses such that, in the mounted condition thereof, the viewer perceives his environment through thesecond splitter cube 9. - The
control unit 6 may be mounted on thesupport device 12. However, it may also be provided separately thereof.Image control unit 13, which is used to control theimage module 2 may also be provided separately. Therefore, thecontrol unit 6 as well as theimage control unit 13 are not shown in FIG. 1, because they are not mounted on thesupport device 12 in the described example. The connections between theimage control unit 13 and theimage module 2 as well as between thecontrol unit 6 and thelens 4 as well as theautofocus sensor 11 may be realized in a wireless manner (e.g. by radio links) and by means of electrical lines. - The optical design of the display device is selected such that, if it is found by the
autofocus sensor 11 that the viewer M is perceiving the object in the object plane O as sharp, the image plane B in which the generated image is perceivable by the viewer M, coincides with the object plane O. Focusing on the object plane O is achieved by a suitable adjustment of the refractive index of theliquid crystal lens 4, which is done as a function of the signal or of the value of the signal emitted by theautofocus sensor 11. Thus, there is a closed loop by which the distance from the object to thesupport device 12 is detected. Said distance detection is provided such that the image plane B is thereby already placed in the object plane O as well. The determination of the distance from the object to the support device 12 (or to the viewer M) by means of selective adjustment of the refractive index of theliquid crystal lens 4 is, thus, also used already to make the image plane B coincide with the object plane O. - In particular, the
control unit 6 and the measurement module are designed such that they constantly determine the distance between the object plane O and the viewer M and accordingly readjust or adjust the refractive index of theliquid crystal lens 4. Thus, autofocusing is provided by which the viewer M can always sharply perceive the generated image in the object plane O. This autofocus function advantageously requires no mechanically movable parts. - In a further embodiment (not shown) of the display device, the focusing unit comprises two or more liquid crystal lenses whose refractive indices are adjustable by means of the control unit.
- Instead of the
second splitter cube 9, a deflecting mirror (not shown) may also be used. In doing so, the deflecting mirror is dimensioned such that only part of the visual field is covered by the deflecting mirror. In this case, the superposition of the generated image on the perceivable object is a side-by-side superposition. - The display device described in combination with FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided for only one eye A of the viewer M. Of course, it may also be provided for both eyes. This may be realized, for example, by accordingly expanding the
superimposing unit 7. Of course, a separate imaging unit, a separate focusing unit comprising a measurement module and a separate superimposing unit may be provided for the second eye, too. - Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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DE10306578.4 | 2003-02-17 | ||
DE10306578A DE10306578A1 (en) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-02-17 | Display device for producing image, e.g. head-mounted display, has control unit which sets refractive index of lens so that object plane is coincident with image plane |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040165284A1 true US20040165284A1 (en) | 2004-08-26 |
US7177083B2 US7177083B2 (en) | 2007-02-13 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/779,963 Expired - Fee Related US7177083B2 (en) | 2003-02-17 | 2004-02-17 | Display device with electrooptical focussing |
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US (1) | US7177083B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004252429A (en) |
DE (1) | DE10306578A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20070211348A1 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2007-09-13 | Gentex Corporation | Common lens helmet mounted display |
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Cited By (13)
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US20070211348A1 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2007-09-13 | Gentex Corporation | Common lens helmet mounted display |
US7375894B2 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2008-05-20 | Gentex Corporation | Common lens helmet mounted display |
US20100110311A1 (en) * | 2008-10-30 | 2010-05-06 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and system for adjusting a presentation of image data |
US20130170022A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2013-07-04 | Elwha LLC, a limited liability company of the State of Delaware | Adjustable optics for ongoing viewing correction |
US8934166B2 (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2015-01-13 | Elwha Llc | Customized user options for optical device |
US9004683B2 (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2015-04-14 | Elwha Llc | Optical device with active user-based aberration correction |
US9033497B2 (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2015-05-19 | Elwha Llc | Optical device with interchangeable corrective elements |
US9046683B2 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2015-06-02 | Elwha Llc | Adjustable optics for ongoing viewing correction |
US9052502B2 (en) | 2011-12-29 | 2015-06-09 | Elwha Llc | Corrective alignment optics for optical device |
US9924143B2 (en) | 2014-09-23 | 2018-03-20 | Intel Corporation | Wearable mediated reality system and method |
US20190353556A1 (en) * | 2016-05-24 | 2019-11-21 | Reichert, Inc. | Mapping lensmeter |
US10997861B2 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2021-05-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho | Luminance control device, luminance control system, and luminance control method |
US11221485B2 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2022-01-11 | Flex, Ltd. | Dynamically controlled focal plane for optical waveguide-based displays |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2004252429A (en) | 2004-09-09 |
DE10306578A1 (en) | 2004-08-26 |
US7177083B2 (en) | 2007-02-13 |
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